The Bauchi State Police Command has apprehended a group of suspected thieves specializing in the theft of industrial power generators in Azare, located within the Katagum Local Government Area of the State.
During a press briefing in Azare on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police for the state, CP Auwal Musa Muhammad, disclosed that the gang had admitted to carrying out several theft operations in the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and the vicinity of the NTA station within Azare.
The individuals identified as suspects are as follows: Adamu Ibrahim (30 years old) from Zigau in Shira Local Government Area, Ibrahim Adamu (22 years old) from Azare, Musa Aliyu, also known as “Manager” (48 years old) from Gwoza, Borno State, Umar from Azare, and Alhaji Sani from Kano State. Other accomplices include Sani Adamu from Gadau, Itas-Gadau Local Government Area; Rilwanu Saidu from Kano State; Victor Moses (29 years old) from Hotoro, Kano State; Isaac Success (35 years old) from Sabon Gari, Kano State; Adamu Ahmad from Azare town, Katagum Local Government Area; and Destiny Ihekwoabah (35 years old) from Dutsen Bukuma, FCT Abuja, who was the recipient of some of the stolen generators.
The police confiscated seven Mikano generators from the suspects.
CP Auwal Musa Muhammad stated, “During the interrogation, Adamu Ibrahim revealed that he was introduced to the gang through Umar Abdullahi, a friend of Alhaji Sani from Kano State. Adamu participated in two theft operations within Azare town, earning 60,000 Naira from the first operation and 50,000 Naira from the proceeds of the second operation led by Alhaji Sani.”
Ibrahim Adamu corroborated Adamu’s statement, claiming that he received 30,000 Naira from the stolen proceeds. Musa Aliyu, alias “Manager,” who had previously resided in Mopol base Dutse, Jigawa State, confessed to his first operation with the group along Azare-Giade road in 2022, where they stole a Mekano Marapko generator tied to an MTN mast after incapacitating the security guard. In 2023, he participated in two other theft operations at the Cold Room medicine store near the NTA Television station and the NOUN Azare Study Center, making off with Mikano Generators from both locations. He admitted to earning 50,000 Naira from the first operation and 30,000 Naira from the second. He also confessed to engaging in several operations in Jigawa and Kano States, stealing a mixer machine in Dutse, an old water reservoir generator near Gujungu via Taura LGA in Jigawa State, and another Mekano in Garo LGA, Kano State, with a total gain of 55,000 Naira from these three operations.
Sani Adamu, aged 22 years, from Gadau in Itas-Gadau LGA, Bauchi State, admitted to participating in theft operations at Medicine Cold Store and NOUN in Azare, earning 80,000 Naira as his share of the stolen proceeds.
Adamu Ahmad, a habitual criminal, aged 33 years from Matsango in Azare town, Katagum LGA, confessed to engaging in numerous criminal activities within and outside Azare. He vandalized a transformer oil operation in December 2022, for which he was previously arraigned in court. Following his release, he joined the gang that attacked NOUN, resulting in the death of a security guard and the theft of a Mekano generator, which was later sold in Abuja to Destiny Ihekwoabah.
Kabiru Haruna, aged 35 years from ‘Yan Lemo Na’ibawa, Kano State, admitted his involvement in two theft operations at Medicine Cold Store and NOUN in Azare, earning a total of 400,000 Naira.
Victor and Isaac also confessed to participating in two theft operations in Azare, which led to the assault of a security guard during the NOUN operation and the security guard’s subsequent death. The investigation is ongoing, and efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining accomplices who remain at large. Once captured, the suspects will be prosecuted in court.
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